Genres

Visitors Review

dbborroughs 2013-05-17 07:32:57

Brainless but looks good

Brainless film about a good looking but brainless couple who decide tolive their dream and take people on diving tours. The pair almostinstantly make the wrong choice of customers and get mixed up with somepeople seeking to recover the items that we see falling to the oceanfloor during the opening credits sequence. Great looking direct tovideo movie could have been so much better if it wasn't so interestedin primarily looking good. Performances are serviceable and the plot isactually not bad, or would have been had the director and producers notredirected the plot into making sure we see lots of shapely people inbathing suits (or in what I'm guessing the reason for the "unrated"moniker a few fleeting bare breasts). The film never generates anytension nor rises above the level of a forgettable TV movie. If you getroped in to seeing this you won't pluck your eyes out since the eyecandy is pleasant but we really need to stop producers from makingfilms that are excuses to have a paid vacation.

2013-05-16 19:26:01

Glub glub glub........................

This review is from: Into the Blue 2: The Reef (DVD) The story drifts along lazily going nowhere, then POW, it wakes up, and we have death, mayhem, and not a little action. The problem is, this doesn't happen until the final fourth of the film and by then it's a bit late in the game to try tossing in a plot. Unfortunately, that plot is a bit too familiar, something seem almost weekly on any TV show you'd care to mention.It works as a diversion but nothing you'd care to keep for future viewings. At least I'm not keeping it.

beregic 2013-05-06 10:20:15

not bad at all

while generally i find it a turn off when seeing 100% "preaty people asutterly unrealistic(this coming from a blonde one myself), for thisparticular feature it is bearable since it is an exotic adventure movieto start with = all comes down to exercising the imagination.but the main aspect i truly enjoyed was the music score; greatcombination of uplifting sounds compounding many musical genres. thisis a good movie to watch while preparing to leave for vacation...yes,very commercial at times but the feature does not pretend be more thenwhat it is; a light pure entertaining plot(does not take itself tooserious but good enough script to keep viewer in suspense)and full ofvisually rich cinematography(humans and nature).if you liked "into the blue 1"-2005 and/or feel in an adventurous mood,then this one is for you.quiet a few scenes are literal rip-offs fromthe first one. my favorite actress was Marsha Thomason, great touch inmoving plot forward . also the ending is not very predictable overall.

2013-05-05 23:57:09

Good movies and delivered as promised.

This review is from: Into the Blue 2: The Reef (DVD) It was a great movie over all and a terrific thriller which is what I most enjoy. The story moved well and I was not really bored.I thought that Marsha Thomason did well to portray a sinister woman--soemthing that I grew up--great actors. I believe that she is under rated and ready for more challenging roles. I could have done without the volleyball scences but other than that it was a good movie. It was also nice to see them end up with the treasure in the end.I had viewed part one some time ago and viewing part 2 at home seemed a good idea.

2013-04-18 00:42:07

Not a classic but it works

ok lets be honest, anyone who watched the first and still felt the need to watch the second didn't do it for the story or the acting. They watched it for the beautiful scenery and of course the "beautiful scenery". Anyone who loved how sexy the first one was will get their eye candy and then some. Not worth buying the dvd but if it comes out on blu ray I'll definitely consider it.

2013-04-17 12:06:11

I actually enjoyed this sequel way better than the first! Love the cinematography in this film!

"Into the Blue 2: The Reef" is the sequel to the 2005 film starring Jessica Alba and Paul Walker. This straight-to-DVD release stars recognizable talent from popular television series in a suspenseful thriller in the seas featuring beautiful cinematography from Hawaii.Taking the helm of director is Stephen Herek who has directed "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", "The Mighty Ducks", "101 Dalmatians" and the Director of Photography is Thomas Yasko who worked on "The Day After Tomorrow", "Alias" and "Felicity" and underwater cinematography work by Don R. King who has worked on films and television series such as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", "LOST", "Lords of Dogtown", "Cast Away" and "Riding Giants".Overall, I was thinking this may be a low budget indie film but actually, this film was better than what I was expecting. Read on.The film kicks off with a message that there are millions of dollars of treasure in the ocean waiting to be found. We see two large containers being dropped into the ocean.The film then begins in Honolulu, Hawaii. The person who dumped the large containers goes to meet with a few guys in suits expecting to get paid. But because he dumped the containers and altering the schedule of those container shipments to the customer, he is killed.We are then taken underwater in the blue ocean as Sebastion (Chris Carmack from "The O.C.") and his wife Dani (Laura Vandervoort from "Smallville") are dive surfing with a model. We learn that the group own a snorkling business that rents out equipment for clients. For Sebastion, doing this line of work for people's vacations is not a line of work he wants to do forever.For Sebastion, there are countless treasures in the ocean that he has been in search of for a long time but one that he has been searching for four years is the Spanish ship "San Cristobal" which sunk somewhere near the North Reef and is rumored to have sunk in the ocean with a lot of treasure.Sebastion believes that if he finds this treasure, this will give him and his wife the opportunity to live a better life.Sebastion hangs out with his friend and employee Mace (Michael Graziadei from "Young and the Restless" and "90210') and his girlfriend Kimi (Mircea Monroe from "Drive"), Dani's best friend, who are a couple that have a difficult relationship because Avery tends to mess around with other women. Where Mace and Kimi have a crazy relationship, Sebastion and Dani are very much in love.While at work, they are visited by Carlton (David Anders from "ALIAS" and "HEROES") and Azra (Marsha Thomason from "LOST"), a couple who wants to hire them for diving in the North Reef for a week because they are looking for the San Cristobal.Of course, Sebastion has been trying for several years to find it but Carlton happens to have a map which may lead them to the treasure. So, both Sebastion and Dani agree to help the couple. The four go on various diving expeditions to find treasure.We then get to see some of the beach life as all six individuals enjoy the beach. Dani and Kimi and Sebastion and Mace get involved in separate beach volleyball competitions. Sebastion and Mace go against their main diving competitors, Avery (Rand Holdren) who dates a girl named Kelsey (Audrina Patridge from "The Hills") who loves to lecture him when he gets into trouble by messing around with women.While at a club, a random guy hits on the women and grabs the arm of Azra and Azra quickly puts him in a headlock. This raises the first red flag for Dani who becomes suspicious.The following day we learn that Carlton is not really looking for the San Cristobal. He actually helps big clients smuggle treasure to other locations. Both Carlton and Azra tell Sebastion and Dani that if they help them find the two containers, they will earn $500,000. Also, we learn that if Carlton doesn't find the containers in a week, the men will kill them. The reason why he is willing to pay them a lot of money is part of an apology because the men who hired him know the names of Sebastion and Dani and their lives are in danger too.So, now both Sebastion and Dani are forced to help Carlton and Azra find the two containers but while they are at sea, Avery takes notice and he starts looking to find whatever they are looking for.With their lives threatened, Dani convinces Sebastion that they must look to see what is in those containers and why their lives are being threatened. Something terrible could be in those containers and that they need to check them without bringing Carlton and Azra along.Thus, the two take their boat out to see late at night to dive and see what those containers are. What they find in the containers are not treasure but a bomb. When they return from their boat after the dive, they are greeted by Carlton and Azra have been hiding in their boat and are ready to kill them. Carlton tells him that in container one is the casing and in container two is a nuclear warhead. One without the other is useless but together creates a powerful weapon. Their goal is to create a second Pearl Harbor.Will Sebastion and Dani be able to get some help or escape to safety or will they get killed by these terrorists?VIDEO & AUDIO:"Into the Blue 2: The Reef" is presented in widescreen and was filmed in High Definition. Picture quality for the film is actually quite nice as it was filmed in Oahu, Hawaii and they hired one of the best diving camera crews in Hawaii. Thus you get really beautiful shots of the group diving and coming across the reefs and various marine life. Most of the film is shot outdoors, so you really get a good taste of Hawaii through the cinematography.As for audio, the film is presented in English Dolby Surround 5.1 sound. The majority of the film is front channel heavy with the film being dialogue and at times music driven. If anything, the music creates the atmosphere during the action sequence. Overall, dialogue and music is quite clear and easily heard.Overall, the DVD looked and sounds really good but because this film was shot in HD, I would imagine that the picture quality to be much better if this film was released ala 1080p High Definition on Blu-ray.SPECIAL FEATURES:The following "Into the Blue 2: The Reef" special features are included: * "Get Wet" Featurette - (11:42) This featurette shows how the underwater scenes were filmed. Interview with Director Stephen Herek and the talent. Learning how the main cast had to go through scuba driving training. We learn how the guys enjoyed it, for Laura Vandervoort, she watched a shark attacks documentary and thus was a bit scared of sharks. As for Marsha Thomason, being from the UK and with thick hair, she wasn't a water person. Interviews with Day Vinson, the scuba instructor and learning about the crash course lessons for the talents. Interviews with Producer Hudson Hickman in regards to why Hawaii was chosen versus Catalina. Interviews wtih Don R. King (Underwater Unit: Director of Photography) and how he and Director Herek communicated and directed while Herek was viewing a monitor on a ship. An enjoyable and interesting featurette. * "Run For Your Life" Featurette - (6:42) In the film is an action chase scene in which Laura Vandervoort had to run around Hawaii. Director Stephen Herek talked about how he wanted to capture get a "Run Lola Run" type of feel between Vandervoort and Thomason's characters running in Hawaii. Vandervoort's character Dani had to run barefoot for long distances, but overall watching her, she was so excited to do an action scene thus she gave it her all for that scene. Featuring an interview with Producer Craig Roessler. Interviews with Director Stephen Herek, actress Laura Vandervoort and Marsha Thomason and Director of Photography Thomas Yatsko. * "Back To The Beach" Music Video - (1:40) A short behind-the-scenes music video of shooting the beach volleyball and club scene, plus the lovemaking and scuba diving scenes and showing the talents having fun on the set.JUDGMENT CALL:Overall, I'm a sucker for beach films, especially when it comes to cinematography in Hawaii. So, I may be a bit biased because "Into the Blue 2: The Reef" looks absolutely beautiful.If anything, it was quite interesting to see the cast for the film of stars from popular television shows together. The main talents of the film did a very good job and Chris Carmack and Laura Vandervoort definitely had great chemistry while David Anders and Marsha Thomason definitely have that star power from being in "ALIAS", "HEROES" and "LOST" which definitely peaked my interest when I first saw these two together.Many people are wondering how Audrina Patridge of MTV's "The Hills" is featured and first, I will say that Audrina's appearance in the film is short and her scene is not major. But knowing how popular "The Hills" stars have become, I suppose that it works out to be a small positive cameo for the film which has many TV stars, so it all works out. If anything, her role is actually quite humorous and her cameo seems to have been tacked onto the storyline to reach that demographic who are fans of her and the series."Into the Blue 2: The Reef" overall was actually entertaining. It was much better than I expected and for a film that was created with a smaller budget than the original and done with a shorter schedule, from what they were able to accomplish in Hawaii and Catalina, I felt everything worked out and there was no sign of "low-budget" indie film cheapness.Again, the talent are people from popular television shows with the exception of Patridge who is in a drama reality show but overall, everyone did a pretty good job. Also, watching the special features, everyone was quite enthusiastic to take part in the film, so that was pretty cool!If there was any problem that I had with the film, it was regarding Azra's character at the end. Her actions and her mentioning "the war". So, I wish things were a bit clear about her character and that final scene with her.Overall, the first film didn't really have me expecting much for the sequel but after watching "Into the Blue 2: The Reef", I enjoyed the film. Again, since this film was shot in High Definition, I hope 20th Century Fox considers releasing this film on Blu-ray because the cinematography is just beautiful.All in all, "Into the Blue 2: The Reef" is an entertaining film worth checking out!

2013-03-31 04:05:16

Hummmmmm.

This review is from: Into the Blue 2: The Reef (DVD) I read several other reviews before purchasing, and this is definitely NOT better than the first one. There is some gratuitous nudity that was not needed. At least in the first "Into the Blue", the actors could act and there was a tangible chemistry. Not so much in this one. Not one I would recommend watching this unless you get it for free, and even then I wasn't impressed.

jordac02 2013-03-30 07:55:04

Good plot but things thrown in for no reason

I loved the first movie but this one seemed to grasp sexual content andnudity too much, one scene was thrown in just for this content. It didnot move the plot forward and it did not define a single character. Itwas only shown so the viewer could see nude women. However, this moviedid a great job with filming. In action scenes it showed many shotsthat would make us respect Sebastion even more. The whole film alsocontributes to the ending where Sebastion and Dani come out on top anddefeat the villains. The movie also makes me respect Dani more toobecause she was suspicious of their new clients the whole time. Irespected Dani much more after this film. I also loved the beachvolleyball scene that was so intense!

2013-03-16 23:25:02

into the blue 2

This review is from: Into the Blue 2: The Reef (DVD) good movie makes me miss scuba diving nice scenery too will watch it again. there is not much more to say about this movie that other reviews have not already said about it would buy again.

2013-03-16 12:48:45

Not Bad Shoe-String Budget Sequel

One of the few times I can recall where a budget sequel was actually better than the original. Or original reboot as it were.I suspect in part because I have a greater affinity toward Laura Vandervoort than Jessica Alba. Both are very beautiful actresses and talented performers, but Laura has that intangible quality about her - a knowing innocence. Like the artists of the golden age who had to quietly exude sexuality without any censor catching on; to playfully toy without an overtly suggesting. It's a very rare skill nowadays where it's just too easy to reveal or grope various body parts. Skillful coyness is not a talent many still possess today - she's one of the few.The story is also improved from the first reboot, enhancing the original plot and giving it a different kind of energy, which I appreciated. Having already done the drug dealer thing, it's usually best to try and seek your own path; discover your own direction to achieve the best results.Plot Outline: Dani, Sebastian and Mace have spent the last few years searching for a legendary Spanish galleon, The San Cristobal, that went down in a storm off the coast of the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu. After four centuries, most believe the tale to be just that - a tale, a fanciful legend that allows tour operators to solicit business from vacationing tourists. But one has to make a living while searching, so they also do the diving tours thing and hunt for the galleon in their spare time. While not a spectacular life, it's one that they've settled into.Until one day a mysterious couple hires the team to search for the legendary lost ship and her treasure. Seeing it as a way to hit two birds with one stone, they agree to take them to the historical dive spots. One never knows if today will be The Day - right?Unfortunately, that's not what the wealthy adventure seeking couple are hoping to accomplish. And what they're searching for means the dive team are soon fighting for their lives - and the lives of everyone on the island.Can they extract themselves from the murderous parties who are desperately trying to recover an unspeakably dangerous cargo - so dangerous that everyone who comes in contact with it or even has knowledge about its existence ends up dead?Not saying this is some amazing, incredible film. I'm not.But, you know, kicking back with a bag of popcorn, it ain't bad. And honestly, can one really get tired watching Laura Vandervoort in a string bikini?Movie Notes:- Interestingly, this looks to be the visual & audio inspiration for the new 'Hawaii Five-0' tv series. Wonder if anyone else noticed?

2013-03-14 16:02:34

Into the Blue 2: The Reef

Not bad acting by Chris Carmack and Laura Vandervoort as two scuba diving adventurers. This movie had all the potential to be a great scuba diving adventure film but the writing fizzles out at the end leaving you shaking your head. Maybe "Into the Blue 3" will be better.John Marcone

2013-03-14 10:49:53

into the blue 2

This review is from: Into the Blue 2: The Reef (DVD) The story is about two divers played by Chris Carmack and Laura Vandervoort who love to explore hidden treasures at a bottom of a local reef. One day after a day of exploring they are approached by a couple played by David Anders and Marsha Thomason. They tell the young divers that they want to hire them to explore the reef and find a rare artifact about Columbus' hidden treasure that is reported at the bottom of the reef.Next day the four dive to the bottom of the reef and of coarse after a whole day of diving they find nothing. A few more days past and the two hired divers found out that they a part of a major deadly plot in which they can't escape otherwise they will be killed. They were hired to find two big containers. One contains a nuclear reactor and the other contains a core.The movie also has a back story about another person (brother of the lead character) trying to patch things up with his girlfriend, I reckon this part of the story was a waste of time, this also includes a very steamy sex scene between the couple which to me is a complete waste and wasn't needed to be shown.However apart from that, this movie does have some good underwater photography and the colors blend in well which is why it receives 4 stars. Into The Blue 2 is a sequel only by name. None of the original actors or characters return

2013-03-13 14:39:51

Fun & Enjoyable

Believe it or not, I liked this one better than the original. Ive seen the first one about maybe 3 times...and I still dont know what in the world it was about. At the very least, I could follow the story (and I enjoyed it)! I knew almost all the actors in the movie (theyre all tv actors) and they even shocked me when they killed off one of the characters I didnt expect to die.It wont win any awards or anything but it was, for the most part, very enjoyable for me.

maryanne-stuartwilliam 2013-03-13 02:02:15

So awful I'm still laughing.

If you think that maybe this movie is not as bad as the reviewssay....don't, unless you want to laugh at really really bad movie-making. If you think that maybe this movie is not as bad as the reviewssay....don't, unless you want to laugh at really really bad movie-making. If you think that maybe this movie is not as bad as the reviewssay....don't, unless you want to laugh at really really bad movie-making. If you think that maybe this movie is not as bad as the reviewssay....don't, unless you want to laugh at really really bad movie-making.If you think that maybe this movie is not as bad as the reviewssay....don't, unless you want to laugh at really really bad movie-making.If you think that maybe this movie is not as bad as the reviewssay....don't, unless you want to laugh at really really bad movie-making.If you think that maybe this movie is not as bad as the reviewssay....don't, unless you want to laugh at really really bad movie-making.

the_last_dodo 2013-03-04 03:10:08

Avoid

This film has x in it. x stands for a peak-of-irrelevance-person, whoseirrelevance i will not undermine by memorizing her name and positivelyshall not be mistaken for an actress.x is part of a plague that infected television and made real what wewould have thought ten years ago is a sick joke: people who have nolife watch people having no life.Speaking of sick joke - whose idea was it to hire x as ... no, icorrect: INSTEAD of an actress for this movie? Anyhofromthehills, thisfilm has x in it and you just know that is it's terminal flaw. By farnot it's only flaw but it's most obvious. Which is - come to think ofit - a good thing as it makes you run to the hills and hide from it.

collipal-1 2013-03-03 16:03:00

What a crappy movie

In 2005,George W. Bush started with his second period as a President ofthe United States; North Korea announced its possession of nuclearweapons; Pope John Paul II died after a long illness; and a moviecalled Into the Blue appeared.The existence of this movie is not as badas the other things that happened on that year,but the film itself waspathetic and maybe,the worst one from that year.Now,in 2009,the UnitedStates have another President,there is another Pope,new Korean nuclearweapons...and the film Into the Blue 2 : The Reef,which is better thanthe original one...but that's the same as saying : "getting yourfingers cut is better than getting your head cut".This sequel is areally bad film which kept me tremendously bored and uninterested.Thecast of Into the Blue 2 : The Reef is composed by TV-series actors whocompletely lack of any credibility and dramatic weight,but who areperfect for showing their bodies.Chris Carmack (The O.C.),David Anders(Heroes and Alias),Laura Vandervoort (Smallville),Marsha Tomason (Lost)and Audrina Patridge (The Hills) bring hollow and boring performances.Iliked some previous movies from director Stephen Herek (Critters andBill and Ted's Excellent Adventure specially) but on this movie,hecannot generate even the minimum level of tension,emotion orentertainment.The characters from this movie are not only badlyperformed,but they are also repulsive.Honestly,I wanted all of them todie.The cinematography from this movie is also lame and it seems tohave been made by a technical team who makes promotional videos forHawaiian hotels.Into the Blue 2 : The Reef is a horrible movie which isbetter than the original film,but that's the same as nothing,as Ipreviously said.Avoid this crappy film at all costs.

2013-03-02 00:07:10

Not bad at all

This review is from: Into the Blue 2: The Reef (DVD) This movie held my interest till the end. Pretty good story line and the scenery was very nice. Acting maybe a low "B", but still worth while to watch. I was not disappointed.

Wuchak 2013-03-01 09:21:39

Quite a bit better than the first one (and "The Deep")

I wasn't all that impressed with either 1977's "The Deep" or the filmit inspired 28 years later, 2005's "Into the Blue." They were decentoceanic thrillers but that's about it. I liked the actors in both --Nick Nolte, Robert Shaw & Jacqueline Bisset in "The Deep" and PaulWalker, Scott Caan & Jessica Alba in "Into the Blue" -- but unlessyou're rabid fans of Bisset and Alba (or the guys) neither film everrose above the level of average.2009's direct-to-video "Into the Blue 2: The Reef" is asequel-in-name-only that successfully builds on the template of thoseother two films, delivering a far more entertaining experience IMHO."Into the Blue 2" simply has a more engaging story, more dazzlingfilmmaking and better, more numerous bikini-clad babes. In other words,everything that you might be looking for in an island thriller is here,only better than those earlier pictures. Although the main cast isrelatively no-name (Chris Carmack, Laura Vandervoort, Marsha Thomason &Dave Anders), they do a splendid job; plus the film is highlighted bytwo solid cameos of Parvati Shallow ("Survivor") and Audrina Patridge,both incredibly gorgeous. Another highlight is the ultra-serious andthrilling final act, which comprises the last 35 minutes or so. Up tothat point the story is pretty much just a fun, light-heartedbeach/diving flick. The dramatic change in tone works in the film'sfavor and keeps it from being one-dimensional.Since "Into the Blue 2: The Reef" is a direct-to-video release it costa fraction the expense of "The Deep" and "Into The Blue," the latter ofwhich cost a whopping $50 million, believe it or not. This makes aninteresting study: Filmmakers can make better films at a fraction ofthe cost; it's simply a matter of ingenuity. Hats off to directorStephen Herek, writer Mitchell Kapner and the cast - awesome job! "Into the Blue 2" was shot in Hawaii whereas the other two were filmedin the Caribbean.The runtime is 92 minutes.GRADE: A-

coffeeblack 2013-03-01 07:00:29

not bad

i thought i would give this movie a chance because i must admit ireally enjoyed the first. i went in with my expectations low and afterthe viewing i must admit i was'nt sorry. this movie is just OK. intothe blue 1 was pretty good so a sequel was hard to do. the story wasfine if not a little outdated and the acting was fine apart from a fewsilly actors letting the side down.as u can probably tell there is not a lot to write about this apartfrom that if you enjoyed the first 1 then you will probably enjoy thisas well...just not as much.give it a try and let me know if my rating of fair or unfair;)

2013-02-28 22:26:54

Not a Blockbuster, but worth the time

First of all, it's been a while since I've seen the first, so I'mjudging this based on this movie alone. Over all, this is a decentmovie. The acting is decent by most of the cast and it seems to be wellcast. The storyline is surprisingly good. It's easy to follow and afterthe first 30 minutes it will keep you watching. But you have to give itthose 30 minutes to get into it.No, contrary to popular belief Audrina does not have a big part in themovie. She's on screen all of 5 minutes (and that's generous). I haveno idea how that rumor came about.If you want a movie just to watch to kill time, this is that movie. Itwon't wow you but it will keep you entertained as the story really is agood one. I was surprised that it was as good as it is.